Cooking Up Love

by Cynthia Hickey

  She sat up and let a few tears of self-pity fall. What a silly girl she was. Either she wanted a relationship with a man or she didn’t. Why so many questions? She’d made her choice, after all. She and Adam could be nothing but friends.

  The doorknob jiggled mere seconds before a knock pounded on the door. “Hurry up!” Merrilee’s shrill voice disturbed the peace. “Other people need baths. Why is the door locked?”

  Tabby sighed, stood and reached for her towel. After wrapping it around her, she padded to the door and threw the latch. “Sorry.”

  There were three curtained-off areas for the women to bathe and they weren’t supposed to lock the door to prevent the others from coming in. But the promise of relaxation and peace won out, at least temporarily, and Tabby had ignored the rule.

  Once the door was unlocked, Merrilee shoved her way in. “I’m informing Miss O’Connor of you breaking yet another rule. Eventually her favoritism toward you will wane.” She stomped her feet. “I’m going to be late for a dinner engagement because of you.”

  “You knocked for less than a minute.” Tabby drew her curtain, then replaced her towel with a robe. With Merrilee gone for the evening, she could curl up in the parlor with a good book and the small box of chocolates she had bought yesterday evening. She smiled at the knowledge that the other girl seemed to have transferred her attentions from Adam to some other unsuspecting fool.

  Merrilee grabbed an empty bucket. “They should have someone draw our baths. It takes way too long to do it ourselves.”

  “How many servants did you have at home?” Tabby cocked her head. Somehow she would find out that Merrilee wasn’t the daughter of a once-prosperous plantation owner.

  “About twenty.” Merrilee smiled.

  “That isn’t very many field workers.” Tabby tightened her sash.

  “Oh, I meant to say we had twenty house servants.”

  “You must have been very young during the war.” Tabby put a hand on the door. “It’s surprising how much you can remember of your life then.” With a satisfactory slam, she closed the door.

  She really shouldn’t let the other girl sour her attitude, but she couldn’t help it. Merrilee would have been about two years old when the war ended. No way would she know how things used to be. If not for books, Tabby wouldn’t know herself. People shouldn’t put on airs.

  Back in her room, she dressed in a simple yellow calico dotted with blue, braided her damp hair, then pinned it in a bun. Presentable, she made her way to the parlor, which thankfully was empty. Grabbing a copy of Nicholas Nickleby, she settled into an overstuffed chair and prepared to get engrossed in the novel.

  Adam’s face and blue eyes swam across the page until she sighed and laid the book in her lap. What could she do to rid her mind of him? What if he stayed in Missouri on his family’s farm or headed west without returning to Topeka? Would she spend the rest of her life seeing him in everything she did?

  She stood and moved to the window and stared down at the train platform. The night was quiet. Maybe she should have taken a stroll down Topeka’s Main Street or joined a group of fellow waitresses for a night of frivolity. Her shoulders slumped. Or maybe she would have been lonelier than now. Mingling with the masses set a person up for rejection. Something she had had plenty of in her life.

  A couple, hand in hand, stood under a gaslight. Tabby leaned her forehead against the cool glass of the window. They looked happy and in love. The gentleman’s attention seemed riveted on the woman. How long until he broke her heart?

  Tabby wanted to go back in time and warn her mother of the heartache to come. Tell her of Pa’s future actions and implore her to marry another. Occasionally, Mama had spoken of another man, a kinder man, who had professed his love once upon a time, but Pa’s handsome face had won out in the end.

  With a deep breath, Tabby let the drapes fall, shutting out the sight of the lovers. Retrieving her book, she headed upstairs where her bed waited. One comforting thing she could rely on.

  * * *

  Adam propped a booted foot on the porch railing and stared overhead. Less than a week and Ma was doing fine. He’d catch a train back to Topeka, and Tabby, tomorrow.

  “Eager to get back to your girl?” Ma stepped beside him, a thick quilt wrapped around her thin shoulders.

  The night breeze had a slight chill to it, but not enough for Adam to go running for a coat. He wrapped the blanket tighter around his mother’s shoulders. “She isn’t my girl.”

  “Would you like her to be?” Ma lowered herself into a rocker.

  “Yeah, I would.” He faced her, leaning against the railing. A bullfrog croaked from the pond in back of the house. “But she’s had some pain in her life and doesn’t have much faith in men.”

  “Then you have to give her some.” Ma set the rocker into motion. “Show her how love can be between a man and a woman. The beautiful thing God created it to be.”

  “I’m trying, and while she’s content to be my friend, even looks forward to our conversations, something holds her back.” She had a wall around her heart he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to knock down. “You and Pa have such a special marriage. How do you keep the love alive?”

  “By putting the other one first.” Pa came up the steps, stomping the mud from his feet. “Not hard to do when your bride is as lovely as mine.” He placed a kiss on Ma’s cheek. “No fever. You’re healing.”

  “Yes, I am, praise God.” She squeezed Pa’s hand, then once he entered the house, turned back to Adam. “It’s the little things, son, that capture a woman’s heart. A tender look, a small gift, the brush of a hand, seeing God’s love shine through you. These are the things that make her take notice. Try it. She’ll fall in love with you in no time. Now help me up so I can go to bed.”

  “Thanks for the advice, Ma.” Adam held out a hand. She grasped it and he pulled her to her feet. “You’re a true treasure.”

  Rising on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek. “That’s what mothers are for.” She cupped his face. “I love you, son, and want you to find the same happiness I did. Pray about this girl. If she’s the one for you, God will make it happen.”

  Adam intended to do just that. He’d surround Tabby with so much prayer and fond gestures, she’d be weak-kneed and mad with love. Maybe mad wasn’t the right word. He laughed, remembering the way her eyes flashed when something aggravated her. Well, he’d make her fall in love with him if it was the last thing he did.

  Quick strides took him to the corral. Pa promised last night they’d be taking Twister and the two horses to California. Once Adam had the money saved, his family would hop a train, boarding the horses in the livestock car, and meet him on the coast.

  He leaned against the fence. That gave him four or five months, by his calculations, to convince Tabby to marry him. All of his wooing would have to be at a relatively low cost or he’d set the whole family back in their plans. Thankfully, prayers were free. Once he neared his financial goal, he’d wire Pa to sell the farm. Sure would be nice to have a bride to celebrate the accomplishment with him—or at least a fiancée.

  “Nice night.” Pa strolled up beside him. “Even nicer now that your Ma is doing better.”

  Adam stared into a night sky so laden with stars he felt as if he might be able to reach up and pluck one. “Will you miss it here?”

  “Nah.” Pa rested his elbows on the top corral rail. “I’m ready for a change. This land was your grandpa’s dream, not mine. Not that I don’t love it, but there’s riches to be had out west, I’ve heard, and a change will be good for Ma.”

  “I hope so.” Adam turned. He could barely make out his Pa’s features in the dark. “It will still be hard work.”

  “Work is good for a man. Found us a buyer when it’s time. Offering a fair price, too. He’s also buying Old Man Wilson’s farm for the water rights, I re
ckon.”

  “I’m saving every penny I can. I figure four or five months.”

  “Plenty of time to win that gal’s heart.” Pa chuckled. “I overheard you talking to your ma. She wasn’t as willing to marry a farmer as she lets on. For a while, I thought she might take up with the banker’s boy. Scared me a bit.”

  Adam couldn’t see his ma with anyone but Pa, any more than he could envision himself with any other woman but Tabby. “Thanks.” He clapped Pa on the shoulder. “Between the advice I got from you and Ma, I can’t go wrong. Tabby will be a great asset to our restaurant.”

  “Don’t tell her that, even if it is true. During the courting period, women only want flowery words, not sensible talk. You tell her how much she can help in our new venture and you might scare her off.”

  “I don’t think so, but I’ll take your words into account. She wants adventure. What’s more adventurous than starting up a business in a new place?” Adam stared back at the pasture.

  “Marriage, son. That’s the greatest adventure.” Pa laughed again and moseyed back toward the house.

  Adam figured he was right. Now to convince Tabby.

  Chapter 15

  “Why the sudden change of heart toward me a few weeks back?” Tabby waited next to Miss O’Connor while the train pulled into the station with its usual puff of steam and shrill whistle. “I’ve meant to ask before, but time hasn’t permitted.” The head waitress seemed almost friendly now, and the numbers on Tabby’s badge continued to drop, signifying her satisfying job performance.

  The other woman shrugged. “You’re more than capable of doing your job with little help from me. Seems maybe the old adage about flies, honey and vinegar might have some truth to it after all.” She smiled. “And a more positive attitude did gain me a box of chocolates, did it not?”

  Tabby laughed. “Yes, ma’am, it did.” She supposed having two waitresses run off within a few days of each other might have opened the woman’s eyes a bit, too. She tucked a few stray strands of hair back into her bun and prepared to greet the customers who would soon surge through the doors.

  “You keep up the good work,” Miss O’Connor said, “and you’ll have your pick of restaurants in no time.” She stepped forward and opened the dining room door as passengers disembarked from the train.

  Her pick of placements! Tabby’s heart leaped. Her dream could come true sooner than she thought. Restaurants were popping up all along the Santa Fe Railroad with the regularity of the seasons. Why, a girl could move every six months and experience something new.

  The door swung open, and Tabby’s mouth dropped open. Trying her best to hide a grin she knew must cover half of her face, she worked to stop from bouncing on her toes. He was back, bringing an extra ray of sunshine into the room with his smile.

  Adam dropped his bag beside the nearest table and headed toward her, completely alerting her to the fact she might not succeed at her plans. Not if she let her emotions get in the way.

  “You’re back.” She couldn’t breathe. Her heart raced faster than a tornado crossing the prairie. “I wasn’t sure if you would return.”

  He took her hands in his, his eyes darkening. “Of course I would. You’re here. There’s no way I could stay away for long. I meant to come back yesterday, but my folks wanted me to stay and attend church with them. Did you miss me?”

  Oh, my. He came back for her. Her face flushed. She needed to change the direction of their conversation before it became entirely inappropriate. “How is your mother?”

  “Good. Anxious to move. We were pretty worried for a bit, but Ma’s stronger than she looks and pulled through finally.” He dropped her hands, leaving them feeling as cold as a winter wind. “I’m glad to see you managed without me.”

  “Barely.” So, he’d be moving soon, now that his mother was better. Her eyes stung. She turned so he wouldn’t see. She should be happy for him. She forced her voice to remain calm and busied her hands gathering menus. She refused to marry him, so why did she ache at knowing he would leave? “Mrs. Mayer filled in full-time by the second day. I ran the kitchen in between.”

  “You?” Adam laughed. “Maybe I’m rubbing off on you.”

  “Hardly. We kept the lunches simple and offered folks a special price to compensate for the lack of meal choices.” Composure in place, she turned. “I’m sure Mrs. Mayer will be very happy to see you.”

  “Great. I’ll go relieve her now.” He laid a hand on her shoulder, then retrieved his bag and rushed into the kitchen.

  Tabby’s shoulder burned where he touched her, and she waited until he was out of sight before wiping away a tear. What a sad state she found herself in. She could tell herself until her face turned blue that she didn’t want anything more than friendship from him, but it was all a lie. How could she be so scared of such a kind man?

  Pa was probably kind at one time or Mama would never have married him, would she? Tabby glanced to where Merrilee stood at attention next to a table. She didn’t appear to need Tabby’s assistance, so she transferred her attention to making sure the pewter pitchers were full of cool water, and hot coffee waited to be poured.

  Now that she no longer carried heavy platters of food all day, the former ever-present fog of exhaustion stayed away for the most part. If only she could uncloud her mind and heart as easily.

  Soon, the chatter of customers and the clink of silverware against china plates filled the restaurant. Tabby smiled. What a wonderful place to work. She didn’t mind the long hours, or the condescending attitude of some of the customers. Well, not much anyway. She only needed to worry about God’s opinion of her choice of job. Someday folks’ eyes would be open and willing to accept women entering the workforce. Even people like Pastor Harper.

  Yesterday, she’d gotten ready for church. Even went so far as to walk to the clapboard building. But she didn’t enter. She couldn’t. Not as long as Pastor Harper still preached there.

  She wrapped her hands around the handles of the drink cart and pushed it to the first table. Her stomach dropped. Pastor Harper sat, newspaper in front of him, his gaze following the girls as they glided past his table, as if they were on the menu. Maybe Tabby could pour his coffee and move on without receiving a lecture.

  After filling his mug, she turned to leave and released the breath she’d been holding.

  “Wait a minute.”

  She cringed. Why her? The room was full of others for him to torment. Swallowing past the mountain in her throat, she turned.

  “Do you have no shame?”

  “Pardon me?”

  “A woman should serve no man but her husband, yet you pour me coffee in a very familiar way, even allowing your skirt to brush my leg.” His mouth turned down at the corners.

  “It’s familiar because I’ve poured hundreds of cups of coffee, sir, and wear a full skirt.” Tabby straightened her shoulders. She’d put this man in his place once and for all. “It’s my job.”

  “Hellfire waits for wanton women.” He smirked. “But I could be enticed to say a prayer on your behalf.”

  “How dare you.” Tabby’s fingers curled around the handle of the water pitcher.

  “Isn’t that why the women are here? To find a man?” He crossed his arms. “I choose you.”

  “That will never happen.”

  “Women working outside the home is not a pleasing aspect. You should be satisfying your husband, raising children and running a home.”

  “I need to please no one but God.” She prayed for God to restrain her from dumping the water on his head.

  “You are not fit to speak His name.” Harper stood, bumping the table. His coffee sloshed onto the white tablecloth, leaving brown droplets scattered like polka dots.

  Tabby lost all restraint and upended the pitcher on his head.

  * * *

 
Adam froze in the kitchen doorway. Tabby really did dump water on the pastor’s head. He didn’t imagine it. He stifled a grin as she stomped her foot and stormed outside. Obviously the man had said something personally derogatory.

  After the last two sermons Adam forced himself to sit through, he’d hoped someone would put the man in his place; he just didn’t expect it to be a slip of a girl. He placed a plate of sourdough biscuits on the counter, then followed her outside.

  He found her around the corner, arms wrapped around her waist, hunched over and crying. “Tabby?” Without thinking, he pulled her close and nestled her head in the crook of his shoulder. “What happened?”

  “He called me wanton, then proceeded to tell me he chose me out of the other girls.” She lifted a tear-streaked face. “That is not a man of God!”

  “No, Tabby, it isn’t.” He nestled her head back to where it fit as naturally as breathing.

  “Is it so wrong for a woman to work?”

  “No, and times are changing. Fred Harvey saw a need that benefited everyone. If people only knew how well-chaperoned the ladies are, how morally upstanding, they’d change their outlook. Be patient. A new way of thinking is coming.” Tabby felt as if she belonged in his arms. Her curves fit his planes. He closed his eyes and laid his cheek on top of her head. The scent of roses wafted from her hair.

  “Aren’t there any honorable men?” She sniffed, then pulled back and palmed the tears from her eyes.

  What about him? Did she look at him so much as a friend that she couldn’t see him as a man? “Me. My Pa. I could give you a list.”

  She sighed. “A short list.”

  “But a list nevertheless.” He gripped her shoulders and forced her to look at him. “All men are not bad, Tabby. Most of them are good. You, unfortunately, have seen more than your share of the bad.” How would she react if he told her of his failure to keep Marilyn alive? Would she add him to the list of unworthy men?

  She wrenched herself out of his grip. “All the ones I know are, present company excluded. Even now, you lay hands on me to get my attention.”